A privileged, free-spirited young girl tries to adapt to life in a strict boarding school in this charming, critically acclaimed children's fantasy. Adapting a novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, also the author of The Secret Garden, the… MoreA privileged, free-spirited young girl tries to adapt to life in a strict boarding school in this charming, critically acclaimed children's fantasy. Adapting a novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, also the author of The Secret Garden, the film shifts the story's setting to World War I. 10 year-old Sara Crewe (Liesel Matthews) has been left in a respected New York City boarding school while her British father heads overseas to fight. Filled with wild stories and a playful attitude, the unconventional Sara becomes popular amongst her classmates but quickly comes into conflict with the harsh headmistress, Miss Minchin (Eleanor Bron), who attempts to quash the child's individuality. The young girl's situation takes a serious turn for the worse when she unexpectedly receives word of her father's death, and, suddenly impoverished, is forced into life as a servant. Treated as a lesser class of person by her former companions, Sara instead befriends her fellow servants and turns to the power of imagination in order to maintain hope for the future. In addition to changing the story's setting, screenwriters Richard LaGravenese and Elizabeth Chandler add a layer of Indian mythology to the tale, allowing director Alfonso Cuaron the chance to punctuate the riches-to-rags fable with a series of lush, imaginative fantasy sequences. Though A Little Princess had difficulty attracting audiences during its initial run, its visual splendor and touching storytelling were praised by many critics, several of whom proclaimed the film one of the best family-oriented productions of its time. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

This new version of Frances Hodgson Burnett's children's classic boasts first-rate production values and a political sensitivity befitting the '90s, but it doesn't quite capture the magic of the 1939 Shirley Temple vehicle.

With a magic realism, Cuaron adaptation is a new vision of classic fairy tale.

Bentley Lyles

Alfonso Cuaron, who did the amazing third "Harry Potter" film, brings us the well-done adaptation of the classic novel, "A Little Princess".… MoreAlfonso Cuaron, who did the amazing third "Harry Potter" film, brings us the well-done adaptation of the classic novel, "A Little Princess". Trust me, this has to be the longest 97 minutes in my life. The film felt like 2 1/2 hours, but there is more to that.
A girl named Sara is sent from her home in India to New York City to attend a boarding school while her father is serving in WWI. After her father dies, Sara brings happiness to the girls of this school run by a stern headmistress by telling them amazing Hindi legends and making them believe that they are all princesses. Hence the title. She also makes the school's black servant girl feel good about herself.
The story is very sweet and has a very good narrative structure. The story sequences were very good despite the bad CGI. My favorite part of the film had to be the production and costume design and I usually don't pay attention to aspects like that.
Liesel Matthews is a very good actress. Sucks that she only did three things in her career: this, "Air Force One", and "Blast". When I saw her perform on the computer screen (I saw this instantly on Netflix), this thought came to my head: Why can't children act like this anymore? Nowadays, children act like they're going to cry or start laugh maniacally any second. Liesel shows how its done with her emotional and sweet performance. She is also very pretty. Also, I think the better young actresses are females. Take a look at Hailee Steinfeld and Chloe Mortez.
Lighting, camera angles, they're all good here. Cuaron can really direct! He showed it in "Prisoner of Azkaban" and watching this made me want to see "Children of Men". The music adds a lot to the mood. Everything I mentioned above (Lighting, camera angles) add a bigger feel to the story.
I have a good friend who has read the book and claims that this movie is pretty true the book by 75%. Pretty close to my rating. "A Little Princess" is no "Inception" or "Phone Booth" and doesn't require thinking when viewing but I advise you to be awake when viewing. It started to bore me towards the start of the film.
Good film that you should watch if you like family films or cute, formal girls. Heh heh. The 95% rating on the Tomatometer is too high for me and I give this a 70%. I've seen much better films. But this is one of the better films I've seen recently.
Nice direction and structure, "A Little Princess" is a very touching treat. When you watch it, you'll make this feel like it never flopped at the box office. Thanks for reading! Leave clean comments below.
"Magic has to be believed. It's the only way it's real."

Jennifer Xu

I really like this movie because everything freaking sucks for Sara. You don't get that very often in a kid's movie. Also, the angelic undertones are… MoreI really like this movie because everything freaking sucks for Sara. You don't get that very often in a kid's movie. Also, the angelic undertones are atmospheric but not overbearing.

Dan Schultz

Saw it a loongg time ago when I was with my sister. Not bad for a kid's movie really, its got a good story to keep it interesting. Don't go on the… MoreSaw it a loongg time ago when I was with my sister. Not bad for a kid's movie really, its got a good story to keep it interesting. Don't go on the title alone.

Film Crazy

Its such a cute little movie that i remember watching as a little and enjoying it because it does let the imagination run wild!
Its a sweet movie thats a… MoreIts such a cute little movie that i remember watching as a little and enjoying it because it does let the imagination run wild!
Its a sweet movie thats a family gem and worth a watch!

Jennifer D

Amazing and beautifully done! Stunning cinematography. This film proves that not all children's films have to be crappy and stupid.

Lorenzo von Matterhorn

<i>"Every girl everwhere is a princess."</i>
A young girl is relegated to servitude at a boarding school when her father goes missing and… More<i>"Every girl everwhere is a princess."</i>
A young girl is relegated to servitude at a boarding school when her father goes missing and is presumed dead.
<center><font size=+2 face="Century Schoolbook"><b><u>REVIEW</u></b></font></center>
Almost but not quite in the same league as The Secret Garden, another great (and highly recommended) Warner Bros. adaptation of a Frances Hodgson Burnett novel, this film nonetheless is none too shabby. It truly is a jewel, inspiring plenty of emotions without being manipulative or cutesy. Instead, it's just enchanting. Liesel Matthews is very good and very believeable as young Sara, Eleanor Bron a dimensional villain, (just as Maggie Smith's housekeeper was in TSG), and other performers fine, as well. I dare you not to cry when Sara's up in the attic crying for her papa or when (Spoiler!) he regains his memory and calls out to her. Sumptuous filming of the scenes in India and the transformed attic, with all that food and those gifts... Perfect for the whole family, and not just for kids. Rent it along with The Secret Garden, and you have got a great night of family entertainment. The kids will be enthralled, no doubt about that, but you'll be entertained, too.

Rachel F

Wonderful. One of my favorite films.

Aj V

Yes, this is the same story as the Shirley Temple film, but they were both based on a book, so it's not exactly a remake. I read the book and saw this… MoreYes, this is the same story as the Shirley Temple film, but they were both based on a book, so it's not exactly a remake. I read the book and saw this movie when I was younger, and I just loved it. Every young girl wishes to be a princess, and this movie will really sparks the imagination. It's a good movie, and a great story.

Wahida K

A great tale based upon Book Frances H. Burnett

Thomas Bowler

beautiful

Drew Smith

Oh my God, Alfonso Cuaron directed this? No wonder it was so good! And I was only 10 when I watched it - even as a child I had great taste! :D